PRINCIPLES OF FACE BURNS MANAGEMENT: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Aim of the study The aim of this study is to emphasize the principles of face burn management based on our personal experience correlated with published literature data. We aim to illustrate different possible approaches of treatment in order to obtain good functional and aesthetic outcomes. Material and methods The study group included 342 patients (144 females and 198 males), with ages ranging between 18 and 92 years old, hospitalized and treated in the Burn Unit from the “Sf. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital from Iași, Romania, during december 2020 – october 2023. The inclusion criteria for the study were: patients over 18 years old, isolated burn lesions only of the face or in association with burn lesions distributed on various anatomical regions, burns of all degrees. Results The group included 144 females (42,1%) and 198 males (57,89%). The etiologies of the burns were represented by flame (123 cases) – 35,96%, scald (103 cases) – 30,11%, contact (52) – 15,20%, electrocutions (31) – 9,06% or ultraviolet exposure (33) – 9,64%. 134 patients (39,18%) had isolated lesions of the face and 208 patients (60,81%) associated other localisations as well. Out of the total number of cases, the majority (276 cases) – 69% were treated conservatory, while 31% required different forms of surgical interventions. Conclusions The management of facial burns must be multidisciplinary and early in the face of serious complications that may endanger the vital, functional and aesthetic prognosis. Periodic evaluations must be constant and involve the physical and mental status of the patient. Social, family and professional integration takes a significant place in the overall management of facial burns to limit the difficulty of reintegration of a person affected by burns.

Keywords

• burns
• facial burns
• face
• full-thickness
• debridement
• skin graft
• enzymatic debridement
• aesthetic unit